Automatic work positioning attachment for button hole machine



7 Sheets-Sheet 1 y L w INVENTOR. BERNARD ZE/TL/N 57M ATTORNEY llllllll|ll|| III I IN IHHM B. ZElTLlN AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FORBUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 1958 B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE FiledMarch 12, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BERNARD ZE/TL/N ATTORNEY B.ZElTLlN 3,082,719

AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE March 26,1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 12, 1958 BERNARD ZEH'L/N ATTORNEYMarch 26, 1963 B. ZEITLIN 3,08

AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE FiledMarch 12, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheep 4 5 4 aura/1 BERNARD ZEITLIN ATTORNEY B.ZElTLIN March 26 I963 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTONHOLE MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 12, 1958 INVENTOR.

' AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE FiledMarch 12, 1958 B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963 'T Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.5

INVENTQR. BERNARD ZEl't'L/N ATTORNEY B. ZEITLIN March 26, 1963 AUTOMATICWORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FOR BUTTON HOLE MACHINE Filed March 12, 19587 Sheets-Sheet '7 FIG.8 450 v OINVENTOR. Bernard Zeiflin y ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,082,719 AUTOMATIC WORK POSITIONING ATTACHMENT FORBUTTON HOLE MACHINE Bernard Zeitlin, 1132 Rahway Ave., Westfield, NJ.

Filed Mar. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 720,901 12 Claims. (Cl. 112-65) Thisinvention relates to the formation of button holes in garments and, moreparticularly, to a novel combination of a button hole sewing machinewith means for automatically positioning successive button holelocations on a garment in operative relation to the sewing head.

In the garment industry, a special sewing machine known as a button holemachine is used to stitch the peripheries of button holes. This machinehas a cyclic action and involves a constantly running motor and a clutchcontrol for initiating and terminating the button hole formingoperation. A relatively movable platen and stitching head are providedand, when the garment is properly positioned on the platen relative tothe stitching head, the clutch is engaged by the operator and themachine goes through a cycle, involving such relative movement, whereinthe stitching head forms a stitched seam around the periphery of thebutton hole. The operator then repositions the garment on the platen forformation of the next button hole.

With the button hole machine as presently used, an operator is unable totend more than about two machines. In doing this, the operator firstpositions a garment on one machine and starts its button hole formingcycle. The operator then repeats this operation on an adjacent machine.By this time, the first button hole is formed and the operator mustre-position the garment onthe first machine. Thus, the operator performsthe garment position and cycle starting operations alternately on thetwo machines. The output per operator is thus relatively low, resultingin undue labor expense per garment.

' In view of this, arrangements have been proposed for modifying buttonhole machines so that they will auto matically form a number ofbuttonholes in succession without requiring attention from the operator aftera garment is properly positioned in the machine for formation of thefirst button hole. However, these arrangements have had the disadvantageof high initial cost or capital investment, in addition to requiringspecialized servicing not capable of being performed by the usualmaintenance or service personnel available in the garment manufacturin gplant.

In accordance with the present invention, a relatively inexpensivegarment clam-ping and positioning attachment is provided which is easilyattachable to either a lock stitch or chain stitch'button hole machine,and which in corporates novel automatic positioning controls cooperablewith the machine controls to elfect automatic movement of the garment tosuccessive button hole positions responsive to completion of the buttonhole stitching at each preceding button hole position. In addition, theoperation of the-mechanism is automatically terminated after the lastbutton hole has been completed. With this attachment, one operator canoperate several button hole machines, such as six machines for example.The operator merely positions and clamps the garment in the attachmentat one machine and then starts the machine to operate. This procedure isrepeated at each of the other machines, and then the operator takes thecompleted garment from the first machine, re-loads this machine, andrepeats these operations at successive machines.

In addition to being usable with any type of automatic button holesewing machine, the attachment and its automatic controls are simple andeasily serviced by the service personnel normally employed at a sewingestablish- 3,082,719 Patented Mar. 26, 1963 "Ice ment to service thesewing machines. The attachment is usable with the completed garment andmay move a garment from left to right, for mens garments, or from rightto left, for womens garments.

More specifically, the attachment comprises a fiat platen extendingsupport including a central clamp easily attachable to the platen of thesewing machine and two platen extension sections which project coplanarwith the platen from each side edge thereof. Each extension section hasa pair of guide slots therein, the slots of one section being alignedwith those of the other section.

The front slots on the sections receive pins or the like interconnectingupper and lower rods for movement as a unit. The upper rod is guidedthrough bushings on the clamp and has secured thereto a pair ofrearwardly extending arms carrying pins received in slots in a secondarm overlapped with each pin carrying arm. Each such second arm carries,at its rear end a simple spring clamp for securing the garment to theattachment. The pin and slot connections provided for reciprocation ofthe garment by the sewing machine clamp during stitching of the buttonhole.

The lower rod has adjustably secured therealong a plurality of abutmentswhich may be positioned in accordance with the button hole locations. Abiasing means is secured to the slide structure, comprising the tworods, to pull the slide in one direction laterally of the sewingmachine. The attachment carries solenoid operated stops, such as levers,to releasably engage the abutments in succession to hold the slide fixedduring stitching of a button hole.

In using the attachment, the operator first positions the abutments tocorrespond with the button hole positions. The operator then clamps agarment to the attachment with the button hole line extending beneaththe sewing machine clamp, and pulls the clamp down. This operates aswitch to energize a solenoid moving the clutch lever to engage theclutch and start the stitching cycle. At the end of the cycle, theclutch is automatically disengaged by the usual sewing machine controls,and the resulting movement of the clutch lever operates a switch whichenergizes a solenoid to lift the clamp. Lifting of the clamp closes aswitch which operates the stop control solenoid. The stop means releasesan abutment and the biasing means pulls the slide laterally of themachine until the next abutment is engaged by the stop means. Thisaction operates a switch to 'deenergize the clamp lifting solenoid, theclamp drops, the stop control solenoid is deenergize'd, and the stitchcycle is again initiated.

The operation is cyclically repeated until the last button hole isformed. At the end of the last stitching cycle, the slide operates alimit switch to stop operation of the attachment.

For anunderstanding of the invention principles, reference is made tothe following descriptions of typical embodiments thereof as illustratedin the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, partly broken away, of the attachmentand associated parts of the machine as disposed to form button holes ina mans garmenti' FIGS. 2 and 2A conjointly provide a plan view, partlybroken away, corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view;

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and illustrating the attachmentarranged for operation on a ladys garment;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic wiring diagrams of the control circuits;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged side elevation views of garment clamps usedin the attachment; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2Aand 3.

Referring .to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a button hole sewing machine, generallydesignated at 10, is illustrated, in part, as including a movable platen15, a needle 11, a clutch operating lever 12 controlling a clutchschematically illustrated at 12A in FIG. 3, and a clamp operating lever13. Machine is mounted on a support surface or table 14.

As is well-known in the art, this machine has a constantly running motorwhich may be selectively coupled to the button hole forming componentsby engaging the clutch 12A through operation of lever 12. In using themachine in the normal manner, an operator positions a garment on platen15, operates lever 13to move the clamp to hold the garment fixed on theplaten, and then operates lever 12 to engage the clutch. This starts thestitching operation of needle 11 and, during the stitching, platen ismoved relative to the needle so that the needle stitches around theoutline of the button hole. When this stitching cycle is completed, theclutch is automatically disengaged.

In accordance with the present invention, an attachment generallyindicated at is operatively combined with levers 12 and 13 and platen 15of machine 10 in such a manner that machine 10, when started at a firstbutton hole, automatically forms each of a series of button holes insuccession, and then automatically shuts off after formation of the lastbutton hole.

Device or attachment 20 includes garment support means in the form ofhorizontal surface wings or extensions 21, 22, 21', 22' on each side ofplaten 15 and substantially coplanar therewith. These wings orextensions' are supported on arms extending laterally from platen- 15.The wings or extensions are secured to cross members 23, 23' resting onsurface 14, and the cross members are interconnected by a relativelynarrow and elongated horizontal surface front member 24. For a purposeto be described, members 21, 21 are spaced from members 22, 22 toprovide slots 26, 26', and member 24 is spaced from members 21, 21' toprovide slots 27, 27'.

A U-shape bracket 5 is screwed or bolted to the forward edge of platen15, and the ends of the legs of bracket are formed to provide spacedbearings 28 for the upper rod of a slide generally indicated at 30 andincluding a lower rod beneath rod 35 and rigidly connected thereto byposts 31 extending through slots 27, 27. Slide 30 is reciprocabletransversely of platen 15 by virtue of the sliding mounting of rod 35through eyelets or bearings 28.

Rod 35 has secured thereto straps 32, 32' extending rearwardly from therod and carrying headed pins 33, 33 engaged in slots 34, 34' in straps36, 36' overlying and slidable longitudinally of straps 32, 32,respectively. Straps 32, 32' have downturned outer ends 32A loopedaround and anchored to rod 35, and straps 36, 36 have upturned operatingloops 36A on their outer ends. Pins 127 extend downwardly from loops32A. The inner end of strap 36 has a slotted strap 37 slidably securedat right angles thereto and biased to the left by a spring 38surrounding a rod 41. Rod 41 extends through a block 42 secured to strap36 and spring 38 is engaged between this block and a block 43 on therear end of rod 41 and secured to strap 37. A spring biased garmentclamp is secured on the right end of strap 37. Clamp 45 comprises a barbent intermediate its ends to provide an upwardly sloping operating end45A and a clamping end 45B, as best seen in FIG. 7. End 45B is biasedtowards strap 37 by a coil spring 45C surrounding the stern of a headedpin or bolt 45D secured in strap 37 and extending loosely through anaperture in clamping end 45B.

Strap 36' has a slotted strap 37 secured at right angles to its innerend, and a spring biased garment clamp 45 is adjustable along strap 37Pins 44 project from straps 32, 32 through slots 26, 26 (FIG. 3) andcarry washers 46 limiting upward movement of straps 32, 32' and 36, 36'.Clamp 45' is a Z-shape strap having an elevated operating end 45A and aclamping end 458' pressed towards strap 37 by a coil spring 45Cembracing the stern of a headed pin or bolt 45D secured in strap 37', asbest seen in FIG. 8.

Rod 40 has mounted thereon abutments 50 adjustably positionable alongthis rod by means of set screws 51. These abutments are positioned alongrod 40 in accordance with the spacing of the button holes. Slide 30 isbiased to the right, in FIG. 1, and to the left in FIG. 4, by a springtension device 55 having its flexible wind-up element 52 connected tothe end of rod 40 adjacent a limit stop 53 on this rod. Stop 53 isarranged to operate a toggle limit switch SW-1, mounted on a bracket 54on a member 23', after completion of the last button hole.

Abutments 50 cooperate with stop levers 61, 62 pivotally mounted on abracket 62' on a base 63 secured to support 14. Springs 64 bias thelevers to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Lever 61 is normally in aposition where its upper end will engage an abutment 50, whereas theabutment engaging end of lever 62 is normally retracted. Both levershave ends cooperable with cams 65, 65 adjustable along the normallyoutwardly biased plunger 60 of a solenoid S-1 mounted on base 63.

When solenoid S-1 is energized, as described in connection with FIG. 5,plunger 60 is retracted. Cam 65 swings lever 61 counter clockwise todisengage stop 50, and cam 65' swings lever 62 clockwise into the pathof the next abutment '50, all with reference to FIG. 1. Device 55 pullsslide 30 to the right until the next abutment 50 engages lever 62. Whensolenoid S-1 is de-energized, as described hereinafter, plunger 60 isretracted. Cam 65' releases lever 62 from stop 50 and cam 65 releaseslever 61 into the path of this stop. Device 55 moves the slide 30 ashort distance until stop 50 engages lever 61.

A switch SW-5 is mounted on across member 23' adjacent slide 30, and hasan operator 66 so disposed that, when an abutment or stop 50- is engagedwith either lever 61 or lever 62, switch SW-5 is open. When solenoid 8-1is energized to release slide 30, the movement of an abutment 50releases operator 66 to close switch SW-S until the next abutmentengages lever 62.

Clutch lever 12 extends through the forked free end of a lever 67pivoted, intermediate its ends, on a fixed bracket 68. The other end ofthis lever is secured to the plunger 70 of solenoid S-2. A bracket 71 onbracket 68 supports a switch SW-3 having an operator 72 engageable withlever 16 which operates the sewing machine knife. In the known buttonhole machine which is partly schematically illustrated in the drawingsthis knife, after completion of the stitching cycle, operates to cut thebutton hole slit and to cut the thread. When lever 16 is raised as theknife pierces the fabric, the lever operates switch SW-3 to open thecircuit of clutch solenoid 8-2 as described hereinafter.

Lever 13, for the clamp of sewing machine 10, has an extension arm 73rigidly secured to its free end and connected to the plunger 75 of asolenoid S-3 mounted on table 14. Ann 73 extends between the operatorsOP-2 and OP-4 of switches SW-2 and SW-4 mounted on a bracket 74 on thebase of solenoid 8-3. The free end of arm 73 moves down when the clampsare raised and up when the clamps are pressed against the fabric. As arm73 moves down, it closes switch SW4 in the energizing circuit ofsolenoid S-1, and as arm 73 moves up, it closes switch SW-2 in theenergizing circuit of clutch solenoid S-2.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, single phase alternating current is suppliedto terminals 76. When start button 77 is depressed, it energizes thecoil of contactor 80 which closes contacts 81 closing a contactorholding circuit which may be broken by pressing stop button 78. A switchSW-6 is associated with thread 17 in such a manner that, if the threadbreaks, switch SW-6 opens to deenergize contactor 80.

Closure of contactor 80 provides operating potential to the controlcircuit at terminals 82. One terminal 82 is connected to line 83directly, and the other terminal 82 is connected to switch SW-l which,when thrown to the on position (FIG. 5), connects line 84 to the otherterminal 82. Switch SW-l is a double pole, double throw toggle switchhaving arms 86 and 87. In the on position, arm 86 connects line 84 to aterminal 82, and arm 87 connects solenoid S-1 to switch SW4. In the offposition, to which switch SW-1 is operated by limit stop 53, arm 86energizes clamp lifting solenoid S-3, and arm 87 opens the circuit ofsolenoid 5-1.

To use the apparatus, the operator pulls slide 30 back until theabutment 50 next adjacent limit stop 53 is engaged with the end of lever61. The operator then clamps the garment in clamps 45, 45' makingadjustments until the first button hole location is aligned with needle11. Abutments 50 are then adjusted along rod 30 at the desired buttonhole spacings. A basket 35 may be hung from device 20 to contain theoverhang of the garment, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 3.

The operator then moves switch SW-l to the on position illustrated inFIG. 5. As arm 86 disengages its lower contact, solenoid S-3 isdeenergized to drop the clamp of sewing machine against the work to holdthe latter fixed to platen 15. Clamp lever 13 opens switch SW-4 andcloses switch SW2. As arm 86 engages its upper contact, clutch solenoidS2 is energized through line 84, switch SW2, switch SW-3, and line 83.

The machine 10 starts its button hole forming cycle, during which platenis reciprocated back and forth. As the platen is reciprocated, clamps45, 45' may be reciprocated due to the longitudinally slidableconnection of straps 36, 36' with the straps 32, 32'.

When the button hole forming cycle is complete, the knife descends topierce the fabric and cut the thread. Lever 16 moves operator 72 ofswitch SW-3- to engage its upper contact, thus deenergizing clutchsolenoid S-2 and energizing clamp lift solenoid S-3. As the clamps lift,arm 73 moves down to open switch SW2 and close switch SW4. Meanwhile theknife lifts and lever 16 moves switch SW-3 to engage its lower contact.However, clutch solenoid 5-2 is not reenergized as switch SW-Z is open.

Closure of switch SW-4 energizes solenoid S-1 through arm 87 of switchSW-l. Plunger 60 moves into the solenoid, swinging lever 61counterclockwise (FIG. '1) and lever 62 clockwise (FIG. 1). Thisreleases the first abutment 50, and slide 30 is drawn to the right untilthe next abutment strikes lever. 62. During such abutment release,switch SW5 is closed to maintain the clamps lifted but, as such nextabutment engages lever 62, switch SW-S is reopened to drop the clamps.

As the clamps drop, lever 13 moves up toopen switch SW-4 and re-closeswitch SW-3. This deenergizes solenoid S-1 and energizes clutch solenoidS-Z. Lever 62 releases such next abutment to engage lever 61, and thecycle repeats. When the last button hole is completed, release of slide30 causes stop 53 to move switch SW-l to the off position. Arm 86energizes clamp lift solenoid S-3 and opens the circuit of clutchsolenoid S-Z. Arm 87 opens the circuit of solenoid S-l. The operatorthen removes the garment and re-loads the machine. The operating cycleis suchthat an operator has time to load several machines before thefirst machine is ready for reloading after automatic completion of aseries of button holes.

FIG. 4 is identical with FIG. 1 except that slide 30 is arranged forleftward movement by tension device 55 for making button holes in aladies garment.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventionprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of thebutton-hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away fromthe platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a workpiecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each directionof movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; operating meanseffective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutmentand position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasingmeans moves said slide in said one direction; means adapted to beoperated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to operatethe clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction to retract theclamp from the work on the platen, and to actuate said operating means;and means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with thenext abutment, to

re-engage said clamp with the work on the platen and to operate theclutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restart the buttonhole forming cycle.

2. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of thebutton-hole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away fromthe platen at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a workpiecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond said platen in each directionof movement of the slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; operating meanseffective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutmentand position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasingmeans move said slide in said one direction; means adapted to beoperated, responsive to work piercing operation of the knife to operatethe clutch operating lever in a disengaging direction, to retract theclamp from the work on the platen, and to actuate said operating means;means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with saidnext abutment, to reengage the clamp with the work on the platen tooperate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restartthe buttonhole forming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide atits limit of movement in said one direction to render said mechanismineffective to re-start the button hole forming cycle.

3. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of thebuttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from theplaten at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each directionof movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operatingmeans adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever andeffective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the Work on theplaten; means operable responsive to work piercing operation of theknife, to actuate said first operating means; second operating meanseffective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutmentand position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasingmeans moves said slide in said one direction; means adapted to beoperated by the clamp lever, in retracting said clamp to operate theclutch operating lever in a disengaging direction and to actuate saidsecond operating means; and means operable, responsive to engagement ofsaid stop means with said next abutment, to re-engage the clamp with thework on the platen and to operate the clutch operating lever in anengaging direction to restart the button hole forming cycle.

4. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle a clutch operating lever for initiation of the buttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from theplaten at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each directionof movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to said needle; first operatingmeans adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever andeffective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the Work on theplaten; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercingoperation of said knife, to actuate said first operating means; secondoperating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop meansfrom one abutment and position said stop means to engage the nextabutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction;means adapted to be operated by the clamp lever, in retracting theclamp, to operate the clutch operating lever in a disengaging directionand to actuate said second operating means; means operable, responsiveto engagement of the stop means with said next abutment, to re-engagethe clamp with the work on the platen and to operate the clutchoperating lever in an engaging direction to restart the button holeforming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide at its limit ofmovement in said one direction to render said mechanism ineffective tore-start the button hole forming cycle.

5. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of the buttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from theplaten at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a work piecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by said slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each directionof movement of said slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operatingmeans associated with the clamp operating lever and effective, whenactuated, to retract the clamp from the work on the platen; meansadapted to be operated, responsive to work piercing operation of theknife to actuate said first operating means; second operating meanseffective, when actuated, to disengage said stop means from one abutmentand position said stop means to engage the next abutment as said biasingmeans moves said slide in said one direction; third operating meansadapted to be connected to the clutch operating lever and effective,when actuated, to operate the clutch operating lever in a dis engagingdirection; means adapted to be operated by the clamp lever, inretracting the clamp, to actuate said second and third operating means;and means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means withsaid next abutment, to reengage said clamp with the work on the platenand to operate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction torestart the buttonhole forming cycle.

6. For use with a button hole sewing machine of the type including asewing needle and a work supporting platen movable relative to eachother during stitching of a button hole, a clamp movable relative to theplaten to clamp the work thereagainst and having a clamp operatinglever, a releasable clutch which, when engaged, connects the machine todriving means for operation of the machine through a button-holestitching cycle, a clutch operating lever for initiation of thebuttonhole stitching cycle, and a knife movable toward and away from theplaten at the end of the cycle to pierce the work to form the buttonhole and having an arm operable therewith, the button hole stitchingcycle being initiated by operation of said clutch lever to engage saidclutch and terminated by operation of said knife; mechanism forautomatically and successively positioning spaced areas of a Work piecein operative relation to the needle for formation of button holes ateach of said areas, said mechanism comprising a support adapted to beclamped to the platen; a relatively elongated slide adapted to bemounted for longitudinal reciprocation in said support relative to theneedle and platen; work clamping means carried by the slide in spacedrelation longitudinally thereof and beyond the platen in each directionof movement of the slide; abutments adjustably positionable along saidslide in spaced relation conforming to the spacing of said areas; meansbiasing said slide to move in one direction relative to the platen; stopmeans normally engaged with one of said abutments when one of saidspaced areas is in operative relation to the needle; first operatingmeans adapted to be associated with the clamp operating lever andeffective, when actuated, to retract the clamp from the work on theplaten; means adapted to be operated, responsive to work piercingoperation of the knife to actuate said first operating means; secondoperating means effective, when actuated, to disengage said stop meansfrom one abutment and position said stop means to engage the nextabutment as said biasing means moves said slide in said one direction;third operating means adapted to be connected to the clutch operatinglever and effective, when actuated, to operate the clutch operatinglever in a disengaging direction; means operable by the clamp lever, inretracting the clamp, to actuate said second and third operating means;means operable, responsive to engagement of said stop means with saidnext abutment, to re-engage the clamp with the work on the platen and tooperate the clutch operating lever in an engaging direction to restartthe button hole forming cycle; and limit means operable by said slide atits limit of movement in said one direction to render said mechanismineffective to restart the button hole forming cycle.

7. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 in which said operating meanscomprise normally de-energized solenoids.

8. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 in which said stop means comprises apair of conjointly operable levers, the first normally biased to engagean abutment and the second moving into the path of the abutrnents upondisengaging movement of the first lever.

9. Mechanism as claimed in claim 5 including a bracket adapted to besecured to said platen and slidably supporting said slide.

10. Mechanism as claimed in claim 9 in which said slide comprisesparallel upper and lower rods rigidly secured to each other, the upperrod being engaged in said bracket and positioned above the surface ofthe platen, and carrying said work clamping means; the lower rod havingsaid abutments adjustably mounted therealong.

11. Mechanism as claimed in claim 10 in which said work clamping meanscomprises arms extending normal to said upper rod and releasable workgrips adjustable along said arms.

12. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which said slide is movableparallel to the front edge of the platen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS593,577 Hawes Nov. 16, 1897 1,243,679 Allen Oct. 23, 1917 1,492,084 RayApr. 29, 1924 1,539,629 Bazzoni May 26, 1925 1,569,394 Ray Jan. 12, 19262,465,232 Jones et al. Mar. 22, 1949 2,899,919 Myska Aug. 18, 19592,944,496 Gardner July 12, 1960

1. FOR USE WITH A BUTTON HOLE SEWING MACHINE OF THE TYPE INCLUDING ASEWING NEEDLE AND A WORK SUPPORTING PLATEN MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACHOTHER DURING STITCHING OF A BUTTON HOLE, A CLAMP MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THEPLATEN TO CLAMP THE WORK THEREAGAINST AND HAVING A CLAMP OPERATINGLEVER, A RELEASABLE CLUTCH WHICH, WHEN ENGAGED, CONNECTS THE MACHINE TODRIVING MEANS FOR OPERATION OF THE MACHINE THROUGH A BUTTON-HOLESTITCHING CYCLE, A CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER FOR INITIATION OF THEBUTTON-HOLE STITCHING CYCLE, AND A KNIFE MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROMTHE PLATEN AT THE END OF THE CYCLE TO PIERCE THE WORK TO FORM THE BUTTONHOLE AND HAVING AN ARM OPERABLE THEREWITH, THE BUTTON HOLE STITCHINGCYCLE BEING INITIATED BY OPERATION OF SAID CLUTCH LEVER TO ENGAGE SAIDCLUTCH AND TERMINATED BY OPERATION OF SAID KNIFE; MECHANISM FORAUTOMATICALLY AND SUCCESSIVELY POSITIONING SPACED AREAS OF A WORKPIECEIN OPERATIVE RELATION TO THE NEEDLE FOR FORMATION OF BUTTON HOLES ATEACH OF SAID AREAS, SAID MECHANISM COMPRISING A SUPPORT ADAPTED TO BECLAMPED TO THE PLATEN; A RELATIVELY ELONGATED SLIDE ADAPTED TO BEMOUNTED FOR LONGITUDINAL RECIPROCATION IN SAID SUPPORT RELATIVE TO THENEEDLE AND PLATEN; WORK CLAMPING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SLIDE IN SPACEDRELATION LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF AND BEYOND THE PLATEN IN EACH DIRECTIONOF MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE; ABUTMENTS ADJUSTABLY POSITIONABLE ALONG SAIDSLIDE IN SPACED RELATION CONFORMING TO THE SPACING OF SAID AREAS; MEANSBIASING SAID SLIDE TO MOVE IN ONE DIRECTION RELATIVE TO THE PLATEN; STOPMEANS NORMALLY ENGAGED WITH ONE OF SAID ABUTMENTS WHEN ONE OF SAIDSPACED AREAS IS IN OPERATIVE RELATION TO THE NEEDLE; OPERATING MEANSEFFECTIVE, WHEN ACTUATED, TO DISENGAGE SAID STOP MEANS FROM ONE ABUTMENTAND POSITION SAID STOP MEANS TO ENGAGE THE NEXT ABUTMENT AS SAID BIASINGMEANS MOVES SAID SLIDE IN SAID ONE DIRECTION; MEANS ADAPTED TO BEOPERATED, RESPONSIVE TO WORK PIERCING OPERATION OF THE KNIFE TO OPERATETHE CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER IN A DISENGAGING DIRECTION TO RETRACT THECLAMP FROM THE WORK ON THE PLATEN, AND TO ACTUATE SAID OPERATING MEANS;AND MEANS OPERABLE, RESPONSIVE TO ENGAGEMENT OF SAID STOP MEANS WITH THENEXT ABUTMENT, TO RE-ENGAGE SAID CLAMP WITH THE WORK ON THE PLATEN ANDTO OPERATE THE CLUTCH OPERATING LEVER IN AN ENGAGING DIRECTION TORESTART THE BUTTON HOLE FORMING CYCLE.